Maybe it’s the long, lazy days, or maybe it’s the heat making everyone a little bit crazy. Whatever the reason, summer is the perfect time for love to bloom. Summer Days & Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, written by twelve bestselling young adult writers and edited by the international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins, will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake. So set out your beach chair and grab your sunglasses. You have twelve reasons this summer to soak up the sun and fall in love.

Review

I had been looking forward to this anthology since I read the holiday one back in December. While this one didn’t wow me, there are some really good stories inside, and one that I love more than the others. I think if you are a fan of short stories, anthologies, or any of the authors that contributed, this will be a good read to add to your shelf. Interesting stories, and I’ll just point out some of my favorites.

A Thousand Ways This Could All Go Wrong by Jennifer E. Smith

This is the only story in the collection that I would give 5 stars, and I want to read a whole book about Annie. If you’ve read Smith’s books, then you know her style. I was so swept up in summer camp and these characters.

Good Luck and Farewell by Brandy Colbert

Another one that I truly enjoyed. I like the diverse characters, and I would read a book starring Rashida and Pierre. There’s insta-love, which I guess I expected with this being summer loving. This story is really twisted, and since I don’t want to ruin it for those who haven’t read it, I’ll just leave it at that. I’d give this story 4 stars.

Inertia by Veronica Roth

I had no idea that there would be science-fiction in this anthology. I was hoping for mostly contemporary, with a little paranormal thrown in. With Roth writing a story, you can pretty much guess her genre. This story is all about revisiting memories through simulation(?). Anyway, I actually teared up at one point. I really wanted to know more about Claire and Matthew. Roth weaved this story beautifully, and I can see the similarities to the science she used in her Divergent trilogy. 4 Stars!

There are couple more that really had me immersed, Brand New Attraction by Cassandra Clare, and Head Scales Tongue Tail by Leigh Bardugo. Both are filled with magic, and I love the end result. I’m not a fan of some of these, but that’s to be expected in an anthology. When a story doesn’t interest you, move on, or endure the few pages it takes to get to the end. I recommend this one to anyone who wants variety in their reading. There’s something here for everyone, but you won’t love them all.

About The Editor

Stephanie Perkins has always worked with books—first as a bookseller, then as a librarian, and now as a novelist. She’s the author of the international bestsellers Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door, as well as Isla and the Happily Ever After. My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories is her first anthology. Stephanie and her husband live in the mountains of North Carolina.

This sounds like a fun anthology for summer. I’d really e interested to read the stories by Veronica Roth and Stephanie Perkins. And also the one that you gave five stars to. I’m glad you were able to get some enjoyment from the book.

I remember this from when you featured it before! There’s actually a couple authors on that list that I couldn’t have imagined writing for an anthology like this, but it sounds awesome! Not a big short stories reader, but I want this 🙂

I don’t know what it is. I could not wait to read the winter version of this anthology and when I finally got it. I stopped caring. Now, I just don’t wanna bother. It sounds so cute, but ehh I think I just don’t want bother. Nice review, girl!

OMG I had no clue Brandy Colbert was featured in this one! I absolutely love Pointe by her. Anywho, I’ve been hearing some really disappointing things about this. There were quite a few stories I loved from MTL, and with this being summery, I just knew it was going to be the shit. * sigh * I guess I can pass on this one.

I’m glad that overall this seems to be a win for you. That’s true about anthologies though, there’s always bound to be some you don’t like. This one looks like it has mostly good ones. Terrific review!

I’m not a fan of anthologies or short stories because I often find them very unsatisfying, but I’m curious about some of these stories. The Jennifer E. Smith sounds great. And hmm I definitely didn’t expect a sci-fi in this one. It seems like V Roth is one of those authors who can’t write outside of one genres. I mean look at her upcoming series! It sounds too similar to Divergent.
I’m curious about the Leigh Bardugo as well!
Great review!

Ouuuhh, I’ve only recently heard about this book and was really curious what people would think about it! Nice review, it definitely sounds like something fun to have and go through when you got some time for a quick short story! 😛

I love anthologies for getting to read stories by familiar authors and for trying out new ones. The variety sounds good. And I’ve not read most of these authors. Summer theme is definitely attractive.
Thanks, Lekeisha!

I’m glad you were able to enjoy the majority of the stories in this collection, Lekeisha. It sounds like you really did love that first one you mentioned and you wouldn’t mind a follow on novel that solely revolves around that one! I’ve been thinking about this collection for a while and the first one, so I should really give them a try.

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I love to read, drink coffee, eat pickles and I'm determined to watch every movie that was made before 1981. I'm sort of an introvert, and I stay to myself. People in this world are cruel, so I'll just let them have it. I prefer fictional worlds and it's inhabitants!! Catch me watching Game of Thrones!

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